[amsat-bb] HRD and linear birds

Thu Jun 25 00:20:38 UTC 2015

Hi Michael ...good points, however, the fact is that HRD does not perform
the proper doppler adjustments. Does it look good? Does it integrate with
your log book? Does it have a better graphical presentation? YES to all
these questions. But, to prove to yourself the doppler problem, start HRD
Sat program and SATPC32 in the same window. Make sure all keps are updated
and apples are apples as they say. A radio hook up is not necessary. Now,
pick the same sat in a pass that is good for your location. As it tracks,
look at the data from SATPC32 and the data from HRD. You will see that the
AZ is virtually the same. BUT Note the figures for range, altitude and
elevation. You will Cleary see a huge difference. The graphic picture will
look like the sat is in the same place but something is clearly not right
with the HRD data. And, thus it does not tune the radio properly for linear
use. For some reason, it worked great on the old FM birds like AO51, etc.,
but again, not with linear.

I have personally discussed these issues with Rick Ruhl, the HRD co-owner. I
believe they intend to fix the issue sometime in the future, but to date,
they have concentrated on fixing and updating the basic program. It's an
issue of priorities based on 'supply and demand' from the user base. Sat
operation is a niche group, so they have put us at the back of the bus in
terms of development. That is just the way it is.

Also, HRD 's sat program DOES NOT work for the ISS (neither does SATPC32 but
they have the ISS add on.

What you can do, though, is take advantage of the great HRD graphic
presentation to visually follow things and use SATPC32 to run your radio. If
you have 2 screens or a TV in the shack, you can through the HRD picture to
those for a full screen graphic presentation and thus have full screen SATPC
on your main computer.

Good luck in the journey and congrats on the 9100

73, Ted
K7TRK

-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On Behalf Of Mvivona via
AMSAT-BB
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 2:59 PM
To: Paul Stoetzer
Cc: amsat-bb at amsat.org; Vivona, Michael (CMG-Orlando)
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HRD and linear birds

Paul,
I am only giving my humble opinion here, but to answer your question of why
I want to use HRD over SatPC32. 
After using both, my conclusions are that they are not even in the same
class. 

HRD is a one stop full integrated software suite for everything a ham could
ever need. Logbook with synchronized web call lookup, digital mode module,
satellite module, mapping that visually shows all your logbook contacts, rig
control, remote access, rotor control, dual radio sync, built in solar cycle
progression, DX cluster window, built in calendar, fully configurable user
layouts throughout the entire suite. 

SatPC32 is a satellite tracking program that has rig control via the sat
window, and rotor control. It to me is quite clunky and has that old timey
DOS look and feel. 

Please, I don't want this to turn into a pi$$ing match. I am just trying to
be as true to myself as I can. Me being a life long systems administrator
and programmer have watched the upward progression of HRD over the years and
have been in awe with everything Simon has accomplished. If what I'm hearing
is that I just have to use SatPC32 for linear birds, then so be it. At the
same time I am also hearing from many users that they only use SatPC32 or
HRD just to track, but actually run their rigs by hand for the Doppler
offset. So, maybe it's a moot point, I don't know?

I really want to thank you guys for all your input in making me a better
operator. 

Michael Vivona
KC4ZVA
Sent from my iPad

On Jun 24, 2015, at 5:14 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm at arrl.net> wrote:

Even if you were to test it at AES, I doubt they have adequate antennas
(and, even more importantly, feedline) set up for decent satellite
reception, so it may not make a good test.

May I ask why you are so eager to use HRD for this purpose? An IC-9100 is
probably the best satellite transceiver on the market and many hams use them
very successfully as part of a fully computer controlled satellite station -
with SatPC32.

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 5:09 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner
<glasbrenner at mindspring.com> wrote:
> Repeated over a few high elevation passes, actually working stations. It
may work for you.
> 
> Don't get me wrong, I like HRD. I used it last night with my IC-910 to
work 2m Eskip remotely while out of town. However, I don't know a single
active transponder op that uses it successfully. I invite them to step
forward and speak up.
> 
> Myself, the response from HRD you got would give me significant pause. On
the other hand the author of SatPC32 is an active participant here, and has
provided outstanding, even custom, support.
> 
> 73, Drew KO4MA
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jun 24, 2015, at 4:55 PM, Mvivona <Mvivona at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks Andrew,
>> OK, so the test would be for me to wait for a pass of an SSB bird like
FO-29. Let HRD take control of the transceiver, manually override till I
hear my return. Then let HRD take over and see if it holds the Doppler
offset lock for the entire pass. Is that the test Andrew?
>> 
>> Michael Vivona
>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>> On Jun 24, 2015, at 2:17 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner
<glasbrenner at mindspring.com> wrote:
>> 
>> In my case, from hearing a dozen+ ops try it on the air. The tuning does
not update the frequencies fast enough for use on SSB. In every case I've
been involved with, switching to SatPC32 solved the problem. $45 for SatPC32
will make that $2500 radio sing on the transponders.
>> 
>> 73, Drew KO4MA
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Jun 24, 2015, at 2:00 PM, Mvivona via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
wrote:
>>> 
>>> I'm confused. How do you know it doesn't work if you don't know what the
issue is? Just sayin'.
>>> 
>>> Michael Vivona
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>> 
>>> On Jun 24, 2015, at 1:41 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm at arrl.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> The automatic Doppler control does not work properly. I've never 
>>> tried it, so I'm not sure what the actual issue is.
>>> 
>>> SatPC32 is the way to go for computer control on the linear
transponders.
>>> 
>>> 73,
>>> 
>>> Paul, N8HM
>>> 
>>> On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 12:43 PM, Vivona, Michael (CMG-Orlando) 
>>> <michael.vivona at wftv.com> wrote:
>>>> I am trying to get a clarification about using HamRadioDeluxe and
linear birds. I have heard on several occasions that HRD and its associated
satellite tracking module works fine for FM birds but not for linear birds.
Can someone please clarify what the actual issue is? I currently have HRD
version 6X and I am looking to purchase an IC9100 to mate it with. I have
contacted the HRD support folks, but the answer I get is: "not sure, try
it". Well, I don't have the IC9100 yet so I can't try it.
>>>> I have permission from my local AES outlet store to connect up my
laptop to one of there IC9100 before I buy it. So, I need to know what the
actual problem is with HRD and linear birds so I can try it in person.
>>>> I hope to get to the bottom of this once and for all.thanks in advance
for anyone that wants to jump in on this.
>>>> 
>>>> Michael Vivona
>>>> Sent from my iPad
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Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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